We are used to seeing the Traffic Wardens set up traffic checkpoints along different streets on the island, surprising unsuspecting motorists who do not have their driver’s license or have their insurance expired! Yes it comes as an inconvenience, at times, but it’s their job to keep us in line.

To the surprise of others, the Traffic Wardens were joined yesterday, Wednesday, July 27, 2011, by the Immigration Department that was conducting documentation checks on visitors and immigrants. It was part of their random and routine check-ups that they conduct on the island to assure foreigners have the proper documentations.

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Wow.......we forget sometime to carry our passports with us when we go into town....looks like we have to buck up!

Most of our guests do NOT carry their passports with them. They are afraid of losing them. When I am in another country, I don't carry mine. I wonder how many tourists did not have their passports with them?

Who the heck keeps their passport on their person? I hope they had the common sense not to "take in for further interrogation" paperless tourists who replied a surprised "Uh, we're here on vacation."

Why do they keep doing things to hassle the tourists?? This is just wrong!

they had a check point right outside my villa across from legends and i didnt have my passport so they wouldnt let me pass...so i had to turn around and go get my passport so i could go into town and i still never carry my passport because i dont want to lose it

I have always taken photo copies of may passport to carry. I carry both copies, hers and mine and so does the wife. Ya neva kno!

Will they accept a copy.......guess it depends on the officer...I always carry my Belize drivers license....don't know if they would accept that.

They have before, No good when entering a country but good enough for the cops and such for basic ID. Never surrender your Real Passport to anyone "except" emmigration, period.

I have been through many check points in Mexico with armed military asking for papers (on the Yucatan coasts - tourist zone).

I also remember immigration check point heading north of the US/Mexico border.

I'm happy to see Immigration tightening up here on the island.

THIS IS JUST PLAN STUPID ,
NO WONDER THE ISLAND IS NOT AS BUSY AS IT SHOULD BE AMONG OTHER THINGS !!!
THE LOCAL BUSINESS FOLKS SAY NO ,SHOES NO SHIRT LOTS OF SERVICE
COME ON IN .THIS IS WHY PEOPLE COME HERE TO RELAX AND LIVE THE DREAM NOT TO BE STOPPED AND MADE TO FEEL LIKE SHIT...
STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES ..
BTB.DO SOMETHING .ANYTHING!! THIS LOOKS BAD .

Same here. Color copies.

I have been a resident for years and have asked immigration for the residency card just so as not to have to carry passport. 5 years now and still no card. We have been stopped a couple of times at road checkpoints and asked for our passports so we keep photocopies in the glove box.

The check point was right in front of my office. Nobody was disrespected. This was the first time I have ever seen this in the downtown area.

CHRIS BUT IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE TRAVEL BUSINESS
THE ISLAND NEEDS NO HASSEL ,LAID BACK RELAX ,AND WELCOME
AND WHERE GLAD YOUR HERE FEELING IT IS KNOWN FOR THAT .COME HERE TO CHILL.
.NOT A ROAD STOP WITH A OFFICER
WHO SCARES PEOPLE AND DOES NOT SMILE !!
EVERYTIME THEY STOP A TOURIST TO CHECK PAPERS ..
IT IS JUST ANOTHER THING TO HURT THE TOUR
AND TRAVEL BUSINESS HERE THAT IS HURTING NOW. AS IT IS VERY VERY BAD FOR THE ISLAND
AS PEOPLE START TO THINK WHATS UP AND WHY ARE THEY DOING THIS .??IS IT SAFE HERE? TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT .THEY WOULD NEVER DO THIS NOW IN CANCUN NOT NOW.

Jeff, If you check the picture it was a 90 pound young man in his early 20s and an attractive female officer in a form fitting uniform. I probably wouldn't be smiling if I was asked to stand in the hot sun, stop traffic and ask folks for their papers. An inconvenience yes, but a hassle no. I honestly can't imagine this would stop people from visiting. It may help stop people that are living and working here illegally that usually tend to give Belize a bad name in the press, something that can hurt the tourism industry in Belize. Besides we've been having a great summer season. Who says its slow.

Right on chris.

Jeff just likes to huff & puff, dontcha Jeff

I get really tired of people asking me for my passport,
its a travel document and i ain't traveling.

I love Belize and I am not a resident, so I am not passing judgment -- take this for what its worth (not much).

If I were in Myrtle Beach, South Beach, Orlando, Key West, or anywhere in the U.S. and subject to immigration sweeps simply by riding down a public thoroughfare, there would be outrage like you wouldn't believe!

Papers? We don't need no stinking papers!

Nobody ever asks me for anything. I went through the Checkpoint twice and all they did was glance at my cart stickers. In almost 20 years I've never been asked for anything but my drivers license.

SOME OF YOU DO NOT GET THIS .
THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR BUSINESS IT SETS THE WRONG TONE
MY FRIENDS WHO HAVE REAL BUSINESS THERE ALL ARGREE .IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE ISLAND .THINK WHAT YOU WANT .AND ERINE YOU DO NOT KNOW JACK ABOUT TOUR INDUSTRY OR TRAVEL. OR HOW THINGS CAN EFFECT BUSINESS ....YOU JUST LIKE TO THINK YOUR FUNNY .LOTS OF PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHATS UP AND THE REAL DEAL .CHRIS PM ME I WILL EXPLAIN WHY THIS IS SO BAD .

Those of us who live here really want to see a crackdown on all the problem and troublemaker people who have migrated here. We need to clean up this island!

I am thinking of retiring on the island, what kind of problem people are you referring to.

There are immigration stops all along our southern border. I remember when i lived in Texas and was coming north from Brownsville and saw Immigrantion and drug enforcement people stopping people just driving north and that was 50 miles from the border. If you are someone in favor of strict immigration enforcement then random stops would be considered good public policy, see for instance Arizona. Some would see it as an infringement of my right to free movement. Pick your position and come out fighting.

Ya'll probably wont believe this But I really like Jeff....... and he adores me, just trying to house break him

THE TRUTH IS IF THEY WANTED TO FIND PEOPLE THAT DO NOT BELONG THERE THEY COULD WALK UP AND DOWN THE BEACH AND FILL TEN VANS A DAY
STOPPING PEOPLE IN GOLF CARTS IS SILLY AND NOT PRODUCTIVE
THE PEOPLE THEY MAY BE LOOKING FOR ARE NOT DRIVING GOLF CARTS
AND ERNIE RYKAT TOLD ME TO TELL YOU HE ALSO LOVES YOU LOL.

Ron, I drove Hwy 77 out of Brownsville en route to Houston more times than I can remember. They always had a 50 mile check point and a rest stop just beyond. I never thought anything but, Go For IT !

Did they stop people walking or riding bikes, or only driving carts/vehicles?

they stopped people driving cars and trucks. Not many walk or drive golf carts on 77.

"if I were in Myrtle Beach, South Beach, Orlando, Key West, or anywhere in the U.S. and subject to immigration sweeps simply by riding down a public thoroughfare, there would be outrage like you wouldn't believe!"
Clearly you don't take vacations in Arizona. Not a good place to have a suntan and be born in New York with a name like Gomez.

I would like to know if anyone has heard from someone who was actually disturbed by this checkpoint? Seems like some people would have us turn the other cheek no matter what a tourist does. It's only a small crack rock he was on vacation leave him alone. He might tell his friends and they won't come here on vacation anymore.

If guests are properly informed by the hotels, managers and operators around the island and advised to always carry ID including a copy of your passport and drivers license there would be no problem. What happens in the US if you don't have a drivers license and you get pulled over?

Savvy travellers are not going to be affected by this in anyway shape or form.

Plenty of tourists still go to the US even though US Customs and immigration are the rudest and most arrogant people on the planet.

A lot of folks think they can simply move here and not follow any of the rules aka "pay their dues" in this supposed third world country. It's not a "do you have your papers while on vacation" checkpoint it's more of "are you legally here in Belize" checkpoint for those that feel they don't need to stamp in every 30 days or have valid immigration or labor status because they feel they don't need to follow the local laws. I hope its a step or lean in the direction of making Ambergris Caye a Tourism Zone.

Now if they had a breathalizer out there, now that would have been something.

or a radar gun.....now that would be excellent!

....and for the record, I don't think we have vans full of trouble makers here on the island.....

no less ten a day. seriously?

that comment may have hurt business here more than ten checkpoints....

If they're checking to make sure you've paid your fees every month to live in Belize, a copy of your passport won't do.

I confess that I rarely carry any ID. I'm also not driving, just walking.

I would guess the number of illegals that are found in San Pedro in this kind of traffic stop is miniscule.

It's just plain common sense to carry ID.
Maybe not the easiest thing in a bikini, but still it makes sense.
If something unfortunate happens to you - accident, illness, etc - it's pretty important to know who you are .....

Interesting to note though, that many hotels offer to put your passport in the safe, and that loosing such a document creates a bunch of headaches. Might be nice for hotels to take a quick photocopy of the guest's passports when they check in and give it to them to carry in lieu of the original.

I always keep my drivers licences in my speedo!

My thought on this was stopping tourists to check papers is silly as noboday in the check in process at the airport or hotels ever i mean ever says walk around the island with your papers ..
this can cause stress for tourists , a proven fact .

next if there looking for people that are not there with legal
papers they can find all they want like i said on the beach .
and i for sure never said troublemakers would fill the vans
just people with out real papers

And yes i have heard from people who make a living on the island that it is not good for THERE business

I am glad i have not seen this before i have seen trafic stops for a drivers lic i do carry mine when I drive .but not for legel papers ????????
as i care about the islands future and as I have lots of friends who make a living from tourists .the way they did it is silly
and not thought out well JMHO.they can do this a better way
if they wish .You see I am looking end result .

I think its kinda funny. The vast majority of people on this island have, at best, a fleeting respect for the law. I see locals and tourists breaking laws in plain view every day, whether its conservation law (found a nice pile of fresh conch shells the other day) drug laws, or how about those crazy dudes on the motorcycles riding the middle of the road at about 50 mph. I've been stopped by one of these checkpoints, and unsurprisingly they have no idea what a U.S. drivers license looks like. My plain old State I.D. got me through twice. The cops roll four deep in the air conditioned truck and can't be bothered most of the time. I'm not complaining, I see the point, but it really seems like a slap-dash operation that will more than likely only inconvenience a few people, and not catch anyone actually breaking the law.

As an outsider to the islands, however frequent visitor, I understand the concern of alarming and discouraging visitors. However, considering the current unrest in Mexico with kidnappings and alike, the economic instability of various cities, countries and alike (incl. The US and Belize), it seems those running from the law, are the detriment to any tourist locale. I personally want to go somewhere laid back, just like the unsavory type. Therefore, I'm glad to see that immigration is there to enhance the community and it's citizens by stepping up efforts to make a safer environment for all. because of this, I will return Carry a colored copy of your passport and drivers license. Seems simple.

while I was waiting in the northbound line at this inspection there were several others who, after being warned by friends made a frantic scramble to leave the line and drive away to the south. Maybe they were just shy...

Right Jesse!

I carry my DL (both US and Belize) and my Belize ID card with me everywhere. My only point is (and I agree with CJ here) that they could do an immigration sweep along the beach and pick up lots of illegals. Our guests do NOT want to carry their passports, and I do not carry mine when in any country! Hell, I won't even mail mine in to get renewed, I want to take it in person!

Israel has the safest airport security in the world, why? PROFILING!
Should be the same on the island. Granted it needs training by those in the know.

When you pay for monthly fee for a visitor permit, they stamp your passport.

Any tourist that takes offense to having to show identification when in a foreign country probably should not be a tourist. I have been in numerous foreign countries and have had to show identification. That does not prevent me from returning. What makes some of you think Belize should be any different? To think that you as a tourist are so important to the country that you should not be incovenienced by having to show that you are in the country legally, is the type of attitude that give tourists a bad name. And, I am surprised that some people in the tourists business don't understand that.

TOUCHE'

Miracles do happen - I agree with ByWarren

I agree that if a guest is stopped they should have their driver's license with them. Just not their passports.

THE ISLAND HAS ALWAYS HAD THE NO SHOES NO SHIRT PROBLEM
AND MY POINT IS IF YOU CHANGE THAT TO THAT YOU NEED PAPERS TO
WALK AROUND THAT MIGHT CHANGE THE FEELING AND I KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO COME HERE ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS I AGREE WITH SHUFFLES ON HOW THIS PLACE IS SOLD TO VACATIONERS
IF YOUR GOING TO CHANGE THAT THEN THE TELL TOURIST THAT . IF YOU HAVE RULES TELL PEOPLE THAT COME HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME
BUT TO SAY IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THAT AS A TOURSIT YOU SHOULD NOT TRAVEL HERE IS AGAIN A SILLY THING TO SAY .AND I SEE WHATS HAPPING HERE .I WILL SAY NO MORE ON THIS AS THE POST IS TAKING A NON CONSTRUCTIVE DIRECTION .WITH TROLLS GETTING THERE JOLLYS
SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THE HOTELS AND DIVE SHOPS,BARS ,AND RESTRAURANTS . .WHEN PEOPLE LOOK AT THERE VACATION AND MAY NOT COME BACK??FOR ANY REASON .IT IS NOT A GOOD THING FOR ALL .I AM SAYING THE JUICE IS NOT WORTH THE SQUEEZE. IT IS A TOUGH SELL NOW TO GET NON DIVERS HERE WHY MAKE IT MAYBE HARDER .
HUMMMMMMMMM. FOR SURE.

AC might have a "no shirt, no shoes, no problem". But it does have a crime problem of which illegal immigration is a part. That needs to be controlled or you can kiss tourism good bye. It is contadictory for those who say they are supportive of Belize and then complain when efforts like this happen because it is an inconvenience to them. A pretty selfish and self serving attitude.
And, I seriously doubt if this "inconvenience" would actually keep a tourist from returning.
Getting robbed, mugged or worse will keep them from returning.
Or just the fact that illegals are taking jobs from Belizeans should be of concern.

Captain Gordo sure has a lot to complain about for only being on the board since last night. I think he would fit in just fine on the cruise ship. We are the ones in the sailboat going by that is mooning everyone standing in line for the buffet.

Just out of curiosity. What happens if you are stopped and do not have papers?I assume you are not carted off to the pokey.

Seems that they don't ask...or maybe only if they have some suspicions. This was a traffic dept. stop that was also Immigration.

Pam asks the sensible question. A tourist being asked to show identification or proof of legal entry is not unreasonable if treated courteously.

I find it hard to believe that anyone would object to being asked for id, if you travel anywhere in this world you will be asked for your ID. Most countries now require that all visitors carry some form of photo ID. I know that in Mexico you can be arrested for not carrying photo ID. Also in the US you can be detained if you cannot produce a photo ID.
I for one, would like to see a citizen photo ID card being issued to all Belizeans. We have some problems here with illegals living and working on the island, also I might add some Fugitives from the USA who come here because they think they will not be asked for ID.
I spoke to some people who were stopped at this check point, they all said it was no problem, in fact they seem to have enjoyed it, they said the people spoke to them in a very nice manner, even when some of the group did not have proper ID.

Thank you bywarren. I am sensible

We went to see the USS Constitution in Bahston last week. When they asked for photo ID I realized my passport was in my hotel room and I had nothing with a photo but a business card. Before I even had a chance to pull it out they waived me in and we had the tour. Hmmmmmmm!

Just a couple of quick thoughts. I dont think it's unreasonable, however my wife does. We have have had to undergo these checks in Mexico (even Cancun), Costa Rica, and frequently on the mainland of Belize along the main highways. If youre going to do it fairly you need to do it to everyone not just by profile. I would add that Israel that does profile but puts everyone through the same a basic check and then choses from among that basic check whom to profile and do more thoroughly. My US drivers license has always worked fine here in Belize, its plastic and I keep it in a velcro pocket of my trunks/shorts along with my daily spending money, I would never stash a copy of my passport in a glove box, or of any official ID for that matter. I think the average polite tourist or visitor (among whom I count myself because of my limited ownership time on the Caye) gets this and is okay with it. Besides, who knows, maybe they pickup the occasional bad guy as a result of shear stupidity on his/her part.

Its a different world out there than it was 10 years ago. I've experienced these kinds of checks all over the world most of my life; I experienced it when i lived in Europe in the 60's. It's just popping up in places it hasn't before. Things change, and sometimes change is a pain in the ass to accept.

Ok, I'm convinced, I'll carry ID. But, I'm still not sure whether I have to carry my passport. I am really not comfortable not having it locked up.

If I am only carrying a copy, Immigration won't be able to tell if I've overstayed my visa or not.

Are they insisting on a passport?????

What is wrong with being asked to produce ID if it serves the greater good? Boy...I would love to see the great State of California implement this plan. If you are not there legally, you shouldn't be allowed to be there. Our moron, buffoon Governor Brown just signed a bill allowing illegal immigrants access to college grants. Unbelievable.

HA! Texas is looking better all the time !

yes, I have no problem with being asked for an ID. I would love to see all the States institute ID checks. Especially at the polls in the USA.

E, I vote for Governor Perry as the next U.S President...but then what would the State of Texas do without him? He rocks!

Back to thread subject: I doubt most tourists carry around their passport. I never have, but always carry my picture ID, it just doesn't make common sense not to have some type of identification on you whereever you are in the world.